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Restored in a 4K digital transfer from the original negative, with a digitized soundtrack, filmmaker King Hu’s widely beloved but previously hard-to-find 1967 martial arts adventure still has the power to thrill audiences. The live-on-camera stunt work, startling set-ups, and widescreen compositions are justly famous – they set the standard for Bruce Lee, Jackie Chan, Tsui Hark, Ang Lee, and every other Chinese sword fantasy practitioner to follow, in the tale of a ragtag band of outsiders tangling with a corrupt and ruthless eunuch potentate and his henchmen in the desert title location. The protagonists are no less renowned: Shi Jun as a laconic, mocking killer (shades of Clint Eastwood); Shang Kuan Ling-Feng as a beautiful swordswoman; and Bai Ying as the bizarre white-haired eunuch Cao Shaoqi, with his overwhelming fighting skills. A delightful combo of thrilling duels, broad physical humor, artistic mise-en-scene, and sweeping visual extravagance. Written and directed by King Hu. Cinematography by Hua Hui-Ying. Strongly recommended (111 min).
ByKelly Vance